Virtually every inch of the new University Medical Center of Princeton
at Plainsboro has been designed with the needs of our patients in mind.
Among our goals were to create a patient room and nursing environment
that promote safety, comfort, exceptional outcomes and efficiency.

"Designing a new hospital from the ground up was a rare opportunity, and
we were driven to design a facility that redefines how care is
delivered," says Barry Rabner, President & CEO, Princeton HealthCare
System. "And to help us do that, we asked our patients what they felt
they and their families needed when in the hospital and asked their
opinions on the solutions we were considering."

Each patient room in the new UMCPP contains important safety features
and amenities that will help to enhance each patient's experience.

UMCPP features all single-patient rooms to reduce infections and improve communications, privacy and sleep. This has a positive impact on utilization and encourages family involvement.

The canted room design helps orient the patient to the outside. All rooms are same-handed to reduce errors and falls.

Each room features a family zone with a sleeper sofa, comfortable chairs, a reading light and oversized windows to maximize daylight and views of nature.

A 42-inch, flat-screen TV with patient engagement system provides entertainment options for adult and child patients. Education features help patients better understand their condition and treatment.

Rooms are equipped with a work desk and soft reading light, along with outlets for computers and cell phones. UMCPP is equipped with WiFi access. A white board allows nursing staff to note their name, title and provide other information to the patient. The board is magnetic to hold the patient's cards and pictures.

A closet provides space for suitcases, clothing and personal belongings, with a safe to secure valuables.

The computer terminal allows caregivers to immediately access, document and share patient information, improving communication with the patient and family.

The nurse server is stocked from the corridor with necessary supplies, including a locked section for medication. The nurse is able to spend more time with the patient, and reduces the number of staff entering the room, therefore reducing risk of infection.

A hands-free sink and soap dispenser allow easy hand-washing immediately upon entering the room. There is one sink for every two employees in the building. Hand sanitizers are also available near more door openings.

Individual temperature controls allow patients to control their room's temperature, and maintain a consistent temperature in all areas of the room. The system uses 100% fresh, filtered air in all patient care areas, reducing infections.

Sound absorbing materials in the corridor and patient rooms help reduce noise. The curve of the building, locations of conference rooms, and irregular corridor wall shape all lower ambient noise, improving sleep, communications and reducing errors. Paging in the building is limited to emergencies. All nurses carry mobile devices to communicate directly with patients.

A private bathroom is located three feet from the bed, with handrails to the bathroom and around the toilet to help prevent falls.

A sliding bathroom door minimizes door interference with patient and staff. Frosted glass in the door allows in natural light, improves orientation and lights a path at night.

The light box provides soft-lighting in the room.

Low-level lighting under the bed and on the wall below the handrail, leading from bed to the bathroom, help improve safety at night.

Beds can be lowered to 16" off the floor to help prevent falls. Pressure relieving mattresses and a built-in scale eliminates the need to transfer patients for weighing. The bed automatically contacts the nurse if high-risk patients get out of bed without assistance.